A fire outbreak has destroyed several shops and stores at Kofar Wanbai Market in Kano State.
The incident occurred on Friday night, at Babban Layi, Yan Robobi section of the market.
According to the Kano State Fire Service, its Emergency Response Unit received a distress call at about 9:43 p.m. from Principal Fire Superintendent Usman Idris Fagge, a staff member of the Service.
Firefighters from the Service Headquarters, Rijiyar Zaki, Sabon Gari, Government House and Bompai Fire Stations were immediately deployed to the scene.
The Service said the fire affected about six houses, including Gidan Alhaji Sani, Gidan Sani Muhammad, Gidan Alhaji Kwa Kwa, Gidan Alhaji Shafi’u and Gidan Alhaji Sulaiman.
The affected two-storey building, measuring approximately 120 by 125 feet, was being used as plastic shops and storage facilities.
The fire reportedly affected two shops on the ground floor, two shops on the first floor, six stores and four temporary stores on the upper floor.
The Service said the fire started from the upper floor before spreading to the first and ground floors.
Firefighters, however, successfully contained the blaze and prevented it from spreading to other parts of the market.
The cause of the fire was traced to a solar power system, according to the Fire Service.
The Director of the Agency, Alhaji Sani Anas, appealed to traders and members of the public to remain vigilant and take proactive measures to prevent fire outbreaks.
He urged residents and traders to equip their homes and shops with fire detectors and functional fire extinguishers, while ensuring strict compliance with fire-safety measures at all times.
